When do girls stop growing?
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The growth and development of children can be a fascinating and sometimes perplexing journey for parents and caregivers.
As a pediatric dietitian and mom of three teen and tween girls, I often get asked about girl height, growth spurts, and puberty.
There is a wide range of what is considered "normal" when it comes to growth and development, but it’s always important to keep in mind during these discussions that every girl is unique and will develop on their own timeline. In the end, the main goal is to help your child stay healthy and happy as they grow and mature into womanhood.
In this blog post, we'll discuss the growth of girls, including average height, puberty stages, height predictors, and growth charts. This will help you understand when girls stop growing and how they develop.
What is the average height for a girl?
Average girl height varies by region, ethnicity, and genetic factors.
Most girls will begin their growth spurt around age 9 and will reach their peak height velocity at 11.5 years of age (usually about one year after puberty begins). Peak height velocity refers to the time when the annual height increase is the greatest.
Source: CDC Growth Charts
Once girls start their period, they usually grow about 1-2 more inches, reaching their final adult height by about age 14 or 15 years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average height of an adult woman in the United States is 63.5 inches (or 5’4”). But keep in mind that bodies come in different sizes. Kids can be taller or shorter than average and still perfectly healthy.
Monitoring a girl's height in relation to her age is a valuable way to track her growth and development. Doctors and other healthcare clinicians use CDC growth charts for girls to check if the child's growth is normal.
These charts can help identify any potential growth-related issues early on.
If you have a child who is unusually short, they may be considered short stature, which is a term referring to height below the third or fifth percentile on the growth curve.
While most kids with short stature are considered healthy and have no medical condition, it is important for them to be followed by a pediatrician to make sure they are following along a consistent curve.
Can you predict a girl’s height?
Predicting a girl's final height can be challenging, as many factors come into play, including genetics, nutrition, and overall health.
Some online tools and calculators claim to be a "height predictor for girls" that can predict a child's adult height based on their current age and height, but these predictions are not always accurate.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the most effective way to determine adult height is using a “bone age,” which is determined using an x-ray of the hand.
However, an easy way to get a rough estimate can be calculated by doubling a child’s height at the age of 2 (or even 18 months for a girl because their growth spurt is usually earlier).
Another way is using the "mid-parental method," formulated by adding the heights of the mother and father in inches and dividing by 2, then subtracting 2.5 inches for a girl (with an expected margin of error of about 4 inches).
What are the stages of puberty for girls?
Puberty is the process of physical and sexual maturation that adolescents go through as they transition from childhood to adulthood.
It typically occurs in a series of stages, and the timing of these stages can vary from person to person. For girls, the stages of puberty include:
Breast development (also called thelarche) is the first visible sign of puberty in girls and typically occurs between the ages of 8 and 13; it can take several years for breasts to fully mature
Pubic hair growth (also called pubarche) occurs shortly after breast development and involves hair becoming more coarse and thick around the genitals and over the mons pubis
Menstruation (also called menarche) is the onset of a girl's first menstrual period and usually occurs about 1.5- 2 years after the start of breast development, typically around the age of 12
Vaginal discharge develops in some girls about 6-12 months before their first period and should be clear to white in color without any odor
An increase in oil and sweat production occurs, which can cause increased odor under arms and can contribute to the development of acne
Changes in hormones, particularly estrogen, affect mood, body composition, and other aspects of physical and emotional development.
Girls will also experience emotional and psychological changes during puberty, including the development of a self-identity, sexuality, and increased interest in social relationships.
Beyond menarche, the reproductive system continues to mature. Ovulation, which is the release of an egg from the ovaries, will begin once regular menstrual cycles become more established.
It's important to note that the timing and progression of these stages can vary significantly from person to person. Some girls may go through puberty earlier or later than the average ages mentioned above.
If your child hasn’t begun to show any signs of puberty by age 13, check in with your pediatrician.
What is precocious puberty?
Precocious puberty refers to the onset of puberty at an unusually early age, before the typical age range. It can affect both boys and girls.
Precocious puberty in girls may cause the development of secondary sexual characteristics like breast development in girls and pubic hair before the age of 8.
If you have concerns or questions about the timing or progression of puberty in your daughter, talk to your doctor right away.
How does nutrition impact growth?
As a pediatric registered dietitian with more than 15 years of experience, I recognize the complex relationship between adolescents and diet.
While it's important to maintain a balanced diet that includes the necessary macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) to support adequate growth, the adolescent years are also a time of increased independence and freedom.
It can be hard as a parent to know how to best support your tween or teen from a nutrition perspective.
First, here are a few top reasons why nutrition is particularly important in the adolescent years:
Adolescence is a critical period for bone development, and calcium* and vitamin D* are essential for building strong bones; a lack of these nutrients can lead to reduced bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis later in life
Girls need enough protein to support muscle growth and repair, especially adolescents who are physically active or playing sports
Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids*, iron*, and antioxidants are important for brain growth and function
Healthy fats are needed for the production of sex hormones, and an imbalance in these hormones can affect growth and development
Iron-rich foods are important for preventing blood-loss-related anemia in menstruating females
While nutrition plays an important role in the growth and development of girls, I've found in my private nutrition practice as a pediatric dietitian that it's arguably more important NOT to focus on weight when addressing nutrition.
I see much better outcomes when we help girls develop healthy habits that improve their overall health and well-being rather than focusing on calories or body mass index.
As a parent or caregiver, you can help encourage healthy eating habits by role modeling, providing regular, well-balanced meals and snacks, and helping your child or teen stay well-hydrated.
Teach your children and teens to steer clear of fad diets that promote weight loss, and to think critically about online content that encourages diet culture mentality (which does far more harm than good).
For parents who need help navigating these tricky waters with their girls, a pediatric healthcare professional or registered dietitian can help address your child's individual nutritional needs and ensure healthy growth and development during this critical stage of life. I am currently accepting new clients in my virtual private practice if you need guidance around nutrition-related behaviors or concerns.
And if you have a child struggling with picky eating and you are worried they may not be getting the nutrition they need for optimal growth, grab my FREE guide to reducing picky eating or check out my online course, Solve Picky Eating, a self-paced set of 12 modules delivered in 5-15 minute videos to help get your child back on track. Thanks for reading!
